SteeleKizz, Inc

After Glow

Jaxon

        Jaxon basked in the ambiance of his newfound abilities.  For several days, Jaxon escaped to a quiet place to discover what he could do now versus what he was able to do before.  Running through the skills he’d already excelled at from the football workouts and training would help him determine what he was now capable of.  Jax had found that his running speed, jumping, and throwing skills had nearly doubled what they were.  His accuracy would need some modifications along with teaching himself restraint with his enhancements.

    In his downtime before returning to school he honed his abilities to make it less apparent that something about him had changed since the wreck.  While he enjoyed these improvements, likewise, he hated the upcoming return to school.  He knew there would be a barrage of questions, and story retelling about what had happened versus what they had heard amid the town’s gossip circle.  He mentally prepared himself for what all questions would be asked.  The townspeople, especially some of his classmates, were notorious busybodies.  No one could do anything undercover without someone finding out and spreading the word.  

    Jaxon had an all new outlook on life, but it didn’t come without the additional burden of what else he knew came along with it.  Keeping more secrets from not only his own family, but the school and other people he was close to.  Not that he was bad at keeping secrets. This, no, this was altogether something different than withholding another person’s privy.  He wanted to tell some of his closest friends but knew that many of them weren’t closed-lipped.  This was his own intimate secret that could only be discussed with Nessa and the wildlife of the forest who seemed interested in much of what he was doing as they watched from a distance.  

    Mentally noting, his hearing and sight seemed to be more specific and detailed.  Dusk could come and it was like he could still make out the fine details of the forest canopy.  He could see the animals scurry about just as darkness came.  He can nearly hear varying conversations among the different households as he walks home.  Some more distinct than others, like distinguishable hushed conversation that someone would overhear.  

    All these things he would have to cover with Nessa when she comes back to him.  He anxiously awaited her return, even though he had no clue when or where that would be.  His thirst for knowing more about Nessa nagged him.  Who was she?  How did she know someone from his past that he didn’t even know about yet?  He wanted confirmation of what she was, even though he already guessed it himself.  He wanted her to say it.  What were her plans for him?  So many unanswered questions that may be petty to one like herself, but to him, it was of utmost importance.

    Jaxon maintained an air of ignorance about the unique details of the accident, keeping to the factual evidence that the cop and paramedics saw when they arrived at the crash site.  Telling anything beyond that would indicate something different happened, leading to more inquiry to what happened to him.  Just coming out of it with a few bumps and bruises was already a cause for concern with his family.  They grew concerned each day when he would go off to himself, that something was wrong with him.  Questioning him when he would return home after being gone all day with no sign of where he went.  His mother, the worry wart, cornered him frequently checking him out to make sure there weren’t any signs of severe damage.  Even though she couldn’t see anything, her mind kept denying her the truth that he was actually alright.  No one could tell her differently, especially him.  

    The day came that his parents finally allowed him to return to school.  It neared the first full week after the accident, and it was Friday, end of the school week.  They knew he would have to return inevitably, but held off as long as they could.  

    Friday morning, Jaxon caught a ride to school with his friends.  While on their way, they engaged in a car ride long interrogation of all the events including the car wreck and the reckless game winning move.  Jax recounted every detail he could muster up.  The guys were enamored over the details that he came out unskathed from such a wreck.  As the conversation and ride came to a near end, the guys started talking among themselves.  This gave Jaxon the much needed break to think to himself.  He recollected many of the things that Nessa had briefly told him.  Otherwise, the additional agitation gnawing at him was Kat.  He was not looking forward to returning to school and putting up with more of her mind games.  While he thought he’d made it clear there could be nothing between them; he felt like she wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.  He was curious just how far she would take it.  Although, with the intense kiss he gave and she returned, he doubted she would give in or up that easily.  Either way, he had goals he wanted to achieve and in doing so, it would mean his motivation would have to go elsewhere.  

    Upon arriving at school, Jaxon made his way to the office.  Not only did he have a medical note from the paramedics and doctor for his absence, he wanted to discuss and go over his current class schedule.  If he could switch classes around to avoid her and gain a study hall in it’s spot, he would be better off.  Even if she did decide to stay and attempt to pursue him, he didn’t want it to be an easy game of cat and mouse.  If he wasn’t in her class, she would have less time to coerce him into her plans for them.

    Thankfully there was more than one science teacher, even if it was for a different topic, Jaxon proudly accepted anything.  He waited while the secretary attempted to shuffle his schedule around without creating a whole new schedule mid-year.  After checking class availability and time slot, she was able to narrow it down to three classes that were rearranged to accommodate Jaxon’s request.  He was thankful for trying, even though the new schedule started the following week.  If he had to put up with her just one day, he’d deal with it.  He just wasn’t certain how at the moment.

    Making his way to homeroom, Principal West made a school wide announcement that the first period would be interrupted with a school wide pep rally.  Jaxon had not anticipated this to happen.  He lowered his head shaking it realizing that they probably waited for him to return to announce Friday’s MVP.  Why couldn’t they have gone on without me? He thought to himself.  

    In the homeroom, the teacher took attendance and made a quick welcome back to him.  At least one person was kind enough to not elaborate on the how and what.  One down and who knows how many more to go before the day was said and done. 

    With the chiming of the next period bell, all the students headed towards the gymnasium for the impromptu pep rally.  Jaxon was not prepared for this and was uncertain just how to proceed.  He certainly didn’t want to be MVP, even if that’s how the school saw it.  His plays were less than flawless and throughout the game he was distracted not only visually but mentally by Kat’s words and actions.  He couldn’t make sense of why they would grant him that honor.  Even so, he would do it humbly.

    The coach was ushering the players into the locker room to await the principal announcing the team.  The remaining students took their seats in the bleachers either side of the basketball court.  The pep band set up in the balcony alcove.  They started playing the team song as soon as everyone settled in.  After a few rounds, Principal West halted the music.

    Teachers stood off to the sidelines along the wall to join in the moment.  

    “Would the Pioneers football team come to the half court, please?” said the principal.

    The football players stormed out from the locker room.  Foot stomps on the bleachers and cheers from their fellow students thundered around them.  Jaxon stood behind all the other players trying to take any attention off of him.  

    “I want to first thank the entire team for an outstanding athletic school year.  Let’s give the coach, assistants, and players a round of applause.”

    This response brought back the thunderous stomps and cheers.  He let the students and teachers continue applauding before motioning and calling out over the mic for them to calm down.  Once quietened down, he continued with his speech.

    “Now, with Friday night’s win, that moves our team to the next round in the tournament.”

    The crowd clapped feverishly.

    “However, we couldn’t have accomplished the victory without one person in particular.  Our back up quarterback took to the football field as our main quarterback.  While it was a tight game, he made a decision that may be something for future quarterbacks to set as their own goals.  It gave us the big W.  Give an applause for Friday Night’s Most Valuable Player, Jaxon Steele.”

    He turned to look back at the team and where Jaxon was.  Jaxon took a huge sigh as his teammates parted their huddle for him to pass through.  Jaxon gave a pleasant smile and waved as people called out his name.  As he approached the Principal’s side he accepted the hand shake and miniature sized MVP trophy from him.

    “Mr. Steele, here had a bad accident after the car wreck after the game.  We all hope that you’ve had time to rest and heal.  We all were concerned but glad to see you back.  A few words?”

    He hands the microphone to Jaxon who casually accepts it.  He looks at Mr. West and the bleachers full of students and the teachers lining the walls.

    “Thank you, Mr. West.  Who would have thought that you’d be congratulating me on an achievement instead of calling me to your office again, ay?” 

    Jaxon gave a soft laugh at Mr. West's discomfort when pointing out his frequent meetings with Jaxon and the school administration.  As his eyes went from West to the teachers who he’s troubled throughout the years, Kat stood there quietly leaning back against the padded wall, watching him intently.

    “All kidding aside.  The game was definitely a challenging one.  I struggled to keep my focus on the game.  As with many Seniors in their last few months of classes, you have many pressures on you academically and personally.”

    His focus went back to the students and his fellow players.

    “Regardless.  It’s my fellow players who kept me grounded when my focus strayed.” He lifted the small trophy in the air and towards the team.  “I accept the MVP award on behalf of the team.  I didn’t do it on my own.  I trusted my team and they didn’t let me down.”

    With a nod, he walks to the team and hands off the trophy to the group as the crowd of students roared with excitement. Jaxon slithered his way back to the locker room until it was time for them to head back to class.  He didn’t want attention, not right now.  The chants kept up for a few seconds before the band took over and the cheerleaders performed.  The players came back to the room with the Coach who stood over a sitting Jaxon.   

    “You’ve got a big set of balls, Steele,” said the coach.  “Not only with that move you did, but really not accepting the MVP trophy.  I don’t know what’s gotten into you, kid.  Either way, let’s keep this positive teamwork focus.”

    He shook his head as he walked towards his office.  “Head back to class, the other students will be behind you by now.”

    Jaxon looked up at Coach briefly before standing to go to class.  He was glad when no one inquired about the accident.  The players were too excited from accepting the MVP trophy as a team instead of an individual.

    As the day went along, a few students would ask about the wreck and how he was doing or a teacher would bring it up in class during a break in teaching.  Jaxon only had one class that really bothered him, Kat’s science class.  

    When it came time for her class, he went in and sat down at his regular spot. His friends showed up a few seconds later sitting next to him.  Jaxon’s seat was near some windows and he took a quick look out.  He wondered if Nessa would show up at school one day.  He laughed at the thought of her attempting to fit in as a modern day teenager.  When the bell chimed for class to start, a stocky older gentleman took the spot behind the teacher’s desk.  Jaxon watched him intently.  His slicked back salt and pepper trimmed hair, neatly kept suit, and his confident look among the students.  Jaxon didn’t take him for being very intimidating, until his deep commanding voice boomed in the science room.  Jaxon could feel a very strong aura from him and that this was not someone to push.  

    Could Jaxon feel, people?